MAYOR BLOOMBERG AND COMMISSIONER DOHERTY ANNOUNCE THE DEATH OF SANITATION WORKER THOMAS LERMAND

Statement of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg

“This morning Sanitation Worker Thomas Lermand collapsed while on his collection route along Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn. He was taken to Beth Israel Hospital and passed away. Thomas was 48 years old and had served the department for 16 years. He lived in Queens with his wife Barbara, whom I spoke with today, and he leaves behind two daughters.

“The events of this week have served as a terrible reminder that life is often too short. As we mourn Police Officer Figoski, let us add the Lermand family to our prayers. The tireless and difficult work of sanitation workers – our City’s Strongest – is so important to making our City run. I am grateful for Thomas’ service to our City, and ask New Yorkers to keep him and his family in their thoughts.”

Statement of Commissioner John J. Doherty

“Thomas’ death is a tragic loss of one of our veteran sanitation workers. Along with the entire Department, I am deeply saddened by this news. Thomas was a great member of our team in South Brooklyn, where he worked for his whole career. His fellow workers say he always had a big hello in the morning and never went home without saying goodbye. He was a dedicated public servant who never tired of doing his job for the City and for New Yorkers. We will all miss Thomas, and my thoughts and prayers are with his wife and two daughters.”